Newbie question

[moparthug]

Hiya folks, this is my first time commenting on the blacksmith part of this wonderful site, and I have a question. These plyers were included with a big box of old wrenches I recently purchased... and I don't know its function. Why would you want ball end plyers?

[oldgoaly]

Google "bull leader tongs"   isn't there an old saying you can't lead a bull by the horns?

[lptools]

Hello, Moparthug. Oldgoaly has it !!!   I believe the holes in the handles are for a rope , or chain, to keep a safe distance from those horns. Regards, Lou

[bill300d]

I am amazed at how many of those things turn up. I guess most everyone had a bull back then.

[turnnut]

 I also agree to the answers.   if you put a rope thru the holes and held on to both ends, when the bull
tried to get away, it would close tighter on the bull nostril and you had better control over him.

[moparthug]

(sigh)... I'm a city boy two generations removed from the family farm in Marshaltown Iowa, I should KNOW what these things are!  Thanks again guys.

[turnnut]

 moparthug, remember this;  "you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy."

[oldgoaly]

there were a lot of them cause of the number of farms back in the day. They would used them to lead the animal to wagon, or where ever they wanted  them to go, slaughter house. Now they the big farms have fencing and railing to guide truckloads of animals on to trucks.  Lots of small farms with a few animals, now few farms with lots of animals. Doubt if you find a set worn out! Wonder if they would work on the wife? hahahaha!

[leg17]

........ Wonder if they would work on the wife? hahahaha!

I tried it.  Didn't see her for a week.
Then the swelling started to go down.